ter. "Can you walk now, Bill?'

"Yes."

And the party rose, took a parting drink with the landlord, and started
for camp.

Outside, Bill gave a startled, wild glance toward the spot where he had
seen the Texan; but no one was there now, and he moved on with his
companions toward their camp, listening to, but not joining in their
conversation.

On arriving at camp, Chichester, as captain, gave orders that each man
should report on paper, or verbally, so it could be taken down, just how
much ammunition he had, the number and kind of his arms, private stores,
etc., so that if there was not enough to make the trip safely, more
could be provided. The number and condition of horses, pack-mules, etc.,
was also to be given.

No man would be fitted to lead such a party did he not consider and post
himself fully in all these particulars.

Quite a crowd of townspeople followed the party out, for the news soon
spread that they intended to leave in a short time; so around their
blazing camp-fire there were many visitors. Toward these Wild Bill cast
many a stealthy glance, but he did not see the red-haired Texan there.

CHAPTER VII.
THE OUTLAW'S LOVE.

Willie Pond was much surprised when he found that his ride only extended
to a small but pretty cottage just on the outskirts of the town, where
the young Texan, introducing him to Miss Neidic as his temporary
hostess, left him while he took the horses to a safe place of
concealment not far away.

Miss Neidic look her new visitor into the rear sitting-room, and while
giving him a cordial welcome, and passing the usual salutations, scanned
him with a keen and critical eye. The impression left must have been
rather favorable, for the lady seemed to feel none of the embarrassment
usual when strangers held a first interview, but talked on as easily and
naturally as if she had known him half a lifetime.

"How long have you been in town, Mr. Pond?" was one of her many
questions.

"Only a day. I arrived on the express, westward bound, which passed this
morning," was the answer.

"Why, that was the same train the desperado, Wild Bill came on."

"Yes, he was pointed out to me by the conductor. But why do you call him
a desperado?"

"Because that is his character."

"I thought none but outlaws were celled desperadoes."

"There is where the mistake comes in. Most outlaws are desperadoes, but
a man _can_ be a desperado, and yet not an _outlaw._ If to be always
ready to shoo